Patrice Bergeron Returns to Practice While Andrew Ference, Steven Kampfer Remain Out With Injuries
WILMINGTON, Mass. — The Bruins got one forward back as they prepared for Tuesday's key showdown with Montreal, but another was absent for practice Monday at Ristuccia Arena.
Patrice Bergeron rejoined the team after missing Friday's practice and Saturday's overtime loss to Pittsburgh for personal reasons, but linemate Mark Recchi missed Monday's workout to attend to a personal matter of his own.
Bergeron skated with Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin in practice, but Bruins coach Claude Julien stated that Recchi will be back in time to play on Tuesday. Either Seguin or Daniel Paille will be the healthy scratch against the Canadiens, as the Bruins will have their full complement of forwards available.
The defense, however, is still without two key members, as Andrew Ference and Steven Kampfer remain sidelined. Kampfer admitted he is still suffering headaches from the concussion suffered Thursday against Tampa Bay and has not resumed any physical activities.
The Bruins had hoped to have Ference, who suffered a lower-body injury on Feb. 26 at Vancouver, back skating either Sunday or Monday, but he remained off the ice Monday.
"No, he hasn't [skated yet], and we predicted yesterday or maybe today but he's not quite there yet," Julien said on Monday. "It really is a day-to-day situation, so depending on how things go today, it could be tomorrow, it could be the day after, but he's getting closer."
Neither Kampfer nor Ference will travel with the team to Montreal. Matt Bartkowski remains up with the team and will play his first game against an opponent other than Pittsburgh when he faces Montreal on Tuesday. The Pittsburgh native has played his only three NHL games thus far against the Penguins.
